Bollywood's new high with tale of love in times of terror (Feature)

By Siddhartha Kumar Feb 3, 2010, 5:04 GMT

New Delhi - My Name is Khan, one of India's most anticipated films this year, reuniting Hindi cinema's most sought-after pair.

With reigning superstar Shahrukh Khan and actress Kajol coming together again after eight years in a love-story set against the backdrop of terrorism, the movie has drawn hopes and controversy in equal measure.

The movie, which is to premiere next week at the Berlin Film Festival, also marks the coming together of the duo under the country's most successful young director, Karan Johar, in the biggest film of their careers.

Johar who made a string of blockbusters starring Shahrukh and Kajol since 1998 and is known for his candy-floss films set in exotic locales, claims to have gone against his grain in his latest offering.

Shahrukh, popularly known as King Khan of Bollywood, is the unconventional hero, Rizvan Khan, an Indian Muslim, living in the US who has an autistic disorder.

Khan's life changes drastically in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks and the movie shows how he embarks on an inspiring journey across US to win back the love of his life, played by Kajol.

The film is set for worldwide release across 65 countries next week and expectations are already running high in new Bollywood markets, such as Germany and Poland.

Tired of making films that appealed to 'just one world', Johar said he wanted to look at a wider, global canvas.

'I've broken every kind of boundary within myself to put this film out there. I've made possibly the bravest film that I could have within my parameters as a film-maker,' the 37-year-old Johar told the NDTV network.

Unlike Johar's trademark feel-good song-and-dance sequences, there's no fancy picturization or lip-syncing bubbly numbers. Instead, the soundtrack is imbued with soulful Sufi influences.

Johar insists the film is neither an issue-based nor about challenges faced by Muslims globally but is a 'human film with emotions that are universal'.

But with its tagline, 'My name is Khan..and I'm not a terrorist', there's little guessing what the film deals with.

Shahrukh Kkan describes the film as a 'sweet obstacle-ridden love story' but on closer look there are layers around it - of Islam, disability and subtle racial discrimination.

The fan-fare has begun as has an unseemly controversy surrounding the film.

The team has launched frenetic promotional tours. Kajol and Shahrukh rang the opening bell of New York's NASDAQ high-tech bourse.

Nevertheless, Khan finds itself in the thick of controversy with activists from the Hindu right-wing Shiv Sena party tearing up the film posters.

This after the party's supremo Bal Thackeray lashed out at Shahrukh Khan for advocating inclusion of Pakistani cricketers in the Indian Premier League.

Khan's release comes at time when the Hindi film industry has been making waves globally, with its appeal spanning movie audiences in the east and west.

Bollywood extravaganzas and music have gained popularity in many western countries where several schools offer courses in Bollywood-style dancing.

Slumdog Millionaire, the Mumbai-based rags-to- riches story, that won eight Oscars was said to be inspired by Bollywood films. Bollywood music has also made its mark on popular music with Slumdog composer AR Rahman winning two Grammy awards.

In addition, there are tie-ups bridging Bollywood and Hollywood - Anil Ambani's Reliance BIG entertainment company and iconic director Steven Spielberg have entered a film-making deal.

At the same time, winds of change have been blowing across Bollywood with the emergence of a new breed of directors and a growing number of arthouse and independent films succeeding commercially.

Bollywood has also moved away from the 'masala' (assorted spices) films comprising the formula of family drama, villains, action and a happy ending.

'The fact that an Indian film is being released on such a global platform (Berlin) is amazing,' Kajol said.

'We are one of the oldest cultures in the world. We have so much to say, so much to show. Frankly speaking, I think we have a lot more than anyone else does. It's a baby step, but we have a lot further to go.'